Obama challenges 'populist' McCain

Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 3:45 PM by Carrie Dann

From NBC/NJ's Athena Jones

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Hours before his rival's call to postpone Friday's presidential debate in light of bailout rancor on Capitol Hill, Obama called McCain's populist bona fides into question at a rally in the Tampa Bay, FL area.

John McCain decided in the last few days to begin talking tough on CEO pay, Obama told a crowd of about 11,000 people filling a baseball stadium, going on to challenge the Arizona Republican's stance on tax cuts and so-called "golden parachutes" for corporate executives.

"He [McCain] is suddenly a hard-charging populist," Obama said. "That's all well and good, but I sure wish he was talking the same way over a year ago, when I introduced a bill that would've helped stop some of the multi-million-dollar bonus packages that CEOs grab on their way out the door, because he opposed that idea."

The senator said McCain had not joined him when he "blew the whistle" on the CEOs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who tried to walk away with "golden parachutes" when they were fired.

"I sure wish he felt the same outrage about CEO pay when his top economic advisor – who he calls a 'role model' – walked away with a $42 million paypackage after being fired from Hewlett Packard," Obama went on, repeating a new line of attack he's begun to use in recent days. "I sure wish he would change his current plan to give the average Fortune 500 CEO a $700- a $700,000 tax cut at a time when millions of Americans are struggling to pay their bills."

Obama's campaign has increasingly tried to cast him as a man of the people who will be a champion for the middle class class and McCain as a man who is out of touch and beholden to lobbyists, corporate interests and the wealthy.

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Comments

Magoo is not ready for the debate & this is another stunt like picking Pallin. He should just say the dog ate his homework.

He is partisan to the core. The press better call him on this latest ploy.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:06 PM)

The American people need to hear from our future elected officials on FRIDAY. Please put pressure on the McCain camp not to delay these debates. It is imperative to our country's future that these two people be allowed to debate.

Arlene, Edison, NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:06 PM)

McCain is being exposed for the corporate stooge he really is! Good going Obama! Finally, I feel really confident in the message and manner Obama is redefining McCain. McCain is not what he portrays himself to be, and hopefully, enough undecideds are persuaded by Obama's message.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:06 PM)

Is it too much to ask the presidential candidates to do two things at once? Anyone running for President ought to be able to handle a situation with the bailout as well as a debate.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when you actually are the President, things often happen at the same time. I'm also certain that you don't get to ask for a time out so you can deal with one issue at once.

another mama for obama (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:08 PM)

Hard charging POPULIST. Just because it passes a spell check, does not mean you transcribed the spoken word correctly.....

Joseph, San Diego CA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:08 PM)

Obama, do you remember what they say about people who live in glass houses.....You were the 2nd biggest recipient of campaign contributions from Freddie and Fanny and that's a documented fact!

Interesting that you bash McCain in public and then for political self-serving you reach out to him the next day to make it look like you are trying to unite.

Jan, McLean, VA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:09 PM)

GIMMICK...Give us a reason why both candidates can't head back to Washington to help with the legislation and still do a debate. McCain has a couple of jets...but I know he can't multi-task.
Sarah...turn and say "cheese."

JAbjenbell45@aol.com (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:09 PM)

exactly and now McCain wants to work on the bailout bill. Please McCain was always a deregulated and admitted it on Sunday 60 minutes. McCain has not shown up to vote since April and missed the FISA, housing and GI Bills. It is a gimmick to postpone the debate. As president, one has to be able to multi-task. with the power of technology he can communicate with congress about his plan. Don't fall for it Obama.

voter (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:09 PM)

This is a ploy. McCain is trying to make voters believe he means it when he says, "Country First".

Why? Because he has acted like a bumbling fool for ten days now, and he is afraid to debate Obama. He knows he was wrong to advocate war with Iraq. He knows Americans, by a large percentage, are against our having invaded.

He knows his campaign is riddled with corruption, gaffes, and scandals.

McCain is losing, and he can't face it.

It will be interesting to see how Barack responds to this.

Isn't it interesting that now that McCain is on the ropes, he wants Barack to cease, and desist whooping his behind?

Also, this proves McCain's manipulative scheme; he jumped the gun with his lone announcement. He, and Obama were to make a joint appearance so that neither of them would score political points with this self sacrificing jesture.

Obama/Biden '08 (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:11 PM)

Obama's campaign doesn't need to "cast him as a man of the people who will be a champion for the middle class class". Take a look at his tax cuts, then take a look at McCain's tax cuts.
You have to be an idiot, or a loyal republican, not to see who the candidates are champions for.

Brian (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:11 PM)

Now we know why McChicken graduated bottom of his class

justwaitandsee (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:11 PM)

"YOU GO BOY"

renee (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:11 PM)

mccain is running scared today folks. could he be more obvious? maybe the rest of us can teach mccain how to multi-task.

happy, boston, ma (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:11 PM)

Obama does not have to try and cast McCain as out of touch and a man for the wealthy CEOs. That's exactly what McCain is.

McCain coukld care less about the middle class!

McCain does not even know what the middle class is, except to be a group of people who are stupid. Well, some may be, those supporting McCain anyway.

Suspend his campaign and cancel the debate trying to look like the leader he is not. What a hoot.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:12 PM)

"Bush Hugger" McCain is just Johnny Come Lately to the populist cause. Just a phony flip flopper trying to steal Obama's message now that he's behind in the polls.

What a cowardly act to now whine about needing to go to Washington to do his job after two years of being AWOL. He's trying to duck the first debate because he knows he's losing ground and will fare badly on foreign policy Friday.

I say let Wall Street pull itself by it's own bootstraps!

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:12 PM)

The sky is falling for Chicken McCain and his little red hen.

Libratine (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:12 PM)

just a few days ago Mccain told us the fundamentals of the economy are strong--now that he is down in the polls he wants to cancel the debate. "Mccain is is such a lying bimbo I don't trust him, or believe anything he says.

gepa (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:12 PM)

This changes nothing, McCain IS trying to win over America with his lies about what he'll do for us when in fact, what he really mean is, what he'll DO for all his rich friends and CEO's. Fiorina was FIRED, you don't get fired for doing a good job, bottom line. Fiorina is a role model only for how not to run a Fortune 500 Company.

LJ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:13 PM)

Kelly O'Donnell is about as transparent as NOTHING. Please give us a break..we're happy Bush is pleased with McCain's efforts...that ought to help in the polls.
Keep spinning Kelly.....
The debate can go on!

Jen,MI (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:13 PM)

Wait doesnt Obama have former CEO's from Fannie or Freddie, who also recieved millions of dollars, on his staff... and arent they his economic advisers? The spineless blowhards my party puts out amazes me...

Democrat for McCain, Richmond, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:13 PM)

Keep it up Obama!!! Keep his feet to the fire, and don't let him get out of those debates!!

Of course the economic situation is a mess---He should know he helped make it!!

Just say no to Unstable/Unable 2008

GOBAMA!!!

Kelly, Naugatuck, CT (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:13 PM)

Yet another tactic by McCain to run and hide. His campaign will try to use this "crisis" to their advanatage. This is not a man of character.

Sandy, IN (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:14 PM)

The debates are on, UNLESS!?!?

Mia in Miami (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:14 PM)

I don't know why i'm still posting here because none of my post see the light of day anyway.

Whatever, here's hoping this one goes through. Barrack, your campaign have got to make all these corrections. McCain is taking all credit for coming up with a joint statement about the economic issue. When it was YOU who called him first. You were the one who came up with this idea.

Please do not let this election get stolen once again. Act and correct these statements. They do live a lasting impression.
And please push for the debate still. 24 hrs. can't hurt particularly if one knows how to multi-task.

I am so outraged by McCain's tactics, it's beyond lying, hypocritical. It's just so low....

Joyce, NY (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:14 PM)

Obama, keep hitting McCain where it hurts, the issues particularily the economy. McCain's past will haunt him only as long as you continue to remind voters what a political cameleon has become.

What we have in this election is a case study in how a politician (McCain) sells his soul to get elected.

Pathetic.

Bill Chiusano, Princeton ,NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:15 PM)

I wonder how much McCain's decision to postpone Friday's presidential debate had to do with what Obama had to say in Florida, as he challenged McCain's new-found populism. If the tides hadn't already been starting to turn Obama's way, would McCain have made this call to action? Doubtful.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:15 PM)

OBAMA:
DECLINE MCCAINS OFFER<DO NOT POSTPONE THE DEBATES!!
CALL HIS BLUFF AND TEAR HIM APART!!!!!

WE WANT DEBATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:15 PM)

Barack Obama is having a field day on McCain's noggin of late. Hot dog!

Ain't justice grand?

Retribution (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:16 PM)

Apparently mccain wants to pull a Sarah Palin and stay away from all those mean pesky reporters asking questions about his lobbyist filled campaign staff or why he was a for deregulation before he was against it...the senile old guy has no shame

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:17 PM)

McCain's newfound populism is just like his belated disruption of Congressional bailout deliberations and the entire campaign. It's driven solely by political calculation.

Senator McStunt cares only about advancing his own position, and politics drives only two things – everything he says, and everything he does.

If he hadn't had to spend the last two days taking his daughter to work – er, introducing Palin to world leaders – he could have contributed to congressional deliberations AND prepare for the voters' opportunity to hear the candidates' views Friday night. If he can't handle both of these tasks how could he handle the job of president – including the tough job of protecting the public from greed and corruption?

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:18 PM)

"Obama's campaign has increasingly tried to cast him as a man of the people who will be a champion for the middle class and McCain as a man who is out of touch and beholden to lobbyists, corporate interests, and the wealthy". That would be because that's exactly what John McCain stands for! Duh! He and Barbie have 7 houses, 13 cars, and over $100 million dollars in the bank. Like I said...Duh! Go Obama.

John In Nebraska (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:18 PM)

What a joke. McCain is a moron just like Bush. The people need the debates. He has put Palin in seclusion and now does not want to debate. He has not voted since April, this vote was not close so that he would make a difference. He is chicken just because Obama is ahead. People wake up we are just getting a bunch of lies and now they are coming from McCain/Palin which is out of touch.

Carmen Colorado (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:18 PM)

Mccain wants to suspend his campaign because cindy and sarah went on a shopping spree and now he can't afford those campaign expenses.

Renny (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:19 PM)

Just another ploy by a desperate campaign. The people of America won't fall for this. Be careful Obama, because now that McCain knows he doesn't have a chance, he'll try anything to distract the voters from the real issues.

KDP, Lovettsville, VA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:22 PM)

You people are so rediculous...this is a serious problem and McCain is actually showing that he is a leader.
Obama is proving that he is more like Bush and would rather be off doing something that makes him look good than truly help the American people.

Funny how Biden seems to agree more with McCain that the messiah

McCain...the only leader in this year's race (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:23 PM)

John McCain is really showing himself to be a great leader. That is what the public needs. Less campaigning and more bipartisian solutions.

I applaud the McCain campaign and hope that Senator Obama leaves Florida and returns to Washington as well.

According to the CNN poll, 80+ percent of Americans are against this bailout. I am one of those. I feel that this will put a band-aid on the problem. Also with the holidays coming around, retail will need a bailout, auto and airlines will want a bailout, etc. The problem will never go away by just giving in to a bunch of greedy Wall Street executives who certainly weren't thinking about us. My 401(k) is dizzy from all the ups and downs it has taken in the last quarter.

Senator McCain didn't say he wouldn't debate Obama, he said in fact, all debates would be had just the scheduling may be changed. If the democratic controlled congress would get their political butts moving than the debate will go on as planned.

Laura, Boston

Laura, Boston (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:23 PM)

They should not postpone the debates!!! It is important for us to hear what the candidates have to say. We have to move forward as a country and votign in this upcoming election is the single-most important decision that Americans can make. True leaders must be able to do handle multiple issues at one time. If president Bush invites them to contribute they should take the time to contribute their views on the economy. Above all the public needs to hear these debates.We really need a leader who is level headed in ALL circumstances.

anon (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:23 PM)

So mcCain can't chew gum and walk at the same time. That's really scary.

Tampa (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:23 PM)

I guess this is in response to McCain's call to action in 2006 when he signed onto S.190 2005 which included regulation for Golden Parachutes.

Golden parachutes may be a problem but I think it is very small compared to the dollar amount of the bad loans. I wish Obama was talking about a bill that would have somehow minimize the current problem and not an aside.

Anyone know the number for the bill Obama allegedly submitted?

N7r3pyd (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:23 PM)

McCain has missed more votes than any other Senator in Washington and now all of a sudden he cares. Give me a break.

FL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:24 PM)

I see no reason to postpone the debate's but I do think that they all 3 need to be in Washington and voting on the bail out. I also think they need to explain how they voted and why to the American people. Also Malibu Palin needs to sit in a hotel and wait for John to come back after they fix the mess that Wall Street has gotten us into!!!!!
To all Canidates:
Do you job that you are currently being paid to do, and campaign at the same time, since this is what the next 4 to 8 years will intale.

Anne/Ohio (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

Barack Obama - needs to continued to slam John McCain on his own record - John McCain can't stand the heat - he's running out of the kitchen and right into the fire.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERCIA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

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